Environmental Policy Executive Summary

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Introduction

The Centre for Alternative Technology is a pioneering research, education and demonstration centre aiming to inspire, inform and enable. It aims to provide the knowledge and skills required to minimise our impact on the environment and to live and work sustainably. Opening to the public back in 1975, CAT has established a worldwide reputation as one of the leading organisations demonstrating ecological technologies and lifestyles. We offer solutions to environmental problems ranging from practical courses to providing Masters level education. Our key areas of work are renewable energy, environmental building, energy efficiency, organic growing and alternative waste management,

The environmental policy will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis and will be made available publicly and to all employees and guests.

Aims of the Environmental Policy:-

• To promote a sense of responsibility for the environment through raising the environmental awareness of staff, residents and the public.

• To monitor, minimise and reduce the amount of energy and water consumed and ensure all uses of energy and water are as efficient as possible.

• To generate our electricity from renewable resources and be a net exporter of electricity to the grid. To optimise our use of renewable sources of energy.

• To monitor, minimise and reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed.

• To monitor & report on CO₂ emissions relating to energy consumption & transport under the direct control of the organisation with the aim to reduce CO₂ emissions year on year.

• To reduce, re-use and recycle waste generated with a firm commitment to the prevention of pollution.

• To comply with all relevant environmental legislation achieving the legal requirements as a minimum standard.

• To maintain and increase biodiversity through a process of organic gardening, sustainably managing our land and woodland and through survey, preservation and regeneration.

• To improve and achieve our environmental objectives through an ongoing continual process of defining standards, collecting data, evaluating performance and identifying areas for improvement.

• To research, evaluate and implement environmental best practice.

• To work to ensure that suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors are aware of and comply with our environmental policy

Download a detailed Environmental Statement PDF file (4.4Mb).

What do we do?

Why are we here?

Mission Statement

Find out how CAT started